Contributor: Angela Jeffrey, Vice President Brand Management, ABX Advertising Benchmark Index
Is Creative Wearout a Thing … in radio? RAB recently asked ABX Advertising Benchmark Index to investigate this question and come up with a definitive answer.
Continue reading “Is Creative Wearout a Thing?”Contributor: Steve Passwaiter, President, Silver Oak Political
Last week, I provided some background into local races. I also focused on the importance of sharing insights and information about radio listeners, dispelling misperceptions about radio and tapping into the creativity that is synonymous with radio. This week it is about execution.
I think I’ve likely given you some definite clues about taking care of executing political advertisers. Armed with solid data about how adding radio to schedules helps increase the advertisers reach to voters, you’ve got a talking point to get someone’s interest. What are you doing to promote that? Radio has multiple platforms to reach listeners AND advertisers. It’s worth using some of those to make the results of this study known in your market.
The one indispensable piece of advice I can provide is the one that is used in the title of this blog: Don’t forget your backyard! Use your local influence; get out and meet the people within an hour’s drive that are going to control millions of local dollars. Get to your state’s capital and introduce yourself to the people that run the political parties at the state level. This is a group of advertisers running a massive one-day sale in November. How can you help them deliver their message to the market? Think about bundling those digital assets they can use, too. (Many are unaware that radio can do that too.)
Remember – you must play the long game in politics. That means that you don’t stop once the election is over. There will be dollars in play in 2025, and the “off” years are not so off any longer. This is a great time to expand relationships and explore new ways of helping.
I once was told by one of my old radio sales managers that the best time to sell is when nothing is happening. He was right about that. You’ll find that political agencies and political contacts will be more likely to hold a meeting with you, especially if you’ve have people that will recommend you. Sales is like politics – it is all about relationships.
As we consider the rest of 2024, pay particular attention to your properties that reach into the African American and Hispanic communities. Political parties will plan to spend not just candidate dollars but, dollars aimed at increasing voter registration and participation in both communities. Recent polling is showing a shift in voter attitudes and that likely translates to each political party having to do more work and spend more money to bring these voters to their side or keep them on their side.
There are local coordinators that are in charge of these efforts and it’s time to get to know them and see what you can do to help them to do their job. The financial rewards are obvious in the short term and the relationships you build are a bonus in the long term – with future election.
Former Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, was credited for saying that “all politics are local.” For radio broadcasters who work hard and who are part of their communities, it’s time to change the rules of engagement. It is time for broadcast radio to reap the shares it deserves in political advertising.
Contributor: Steve Passwaiter, President, Silver Oak Political
We all know it. The projections are everywhere. Political ad experts are estimating spending ranging from $10 to $16 billion during the 2024 political cycle. A sizable portion of that will end up as part of what looks to be a rematch between our current and former president. However, there will be a lot to explore for media sellers in down-ballot races this year. A quick look at some recent races gives us a clue about what has changed and what awaits us.
Author: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB
The current economic environment and consumer concerns over inflation are challenging marketers and media alike to do more with less in an increasingly complicated and competitive marketplace. Add to that the ongoing threat of another health crisis, the rapid influx of advancing technology, and the multiplicity of events in 2023 and their long tail impact, one thing has remained stable, efficient, results-driven, and a trusted partner to marketers. Radio.
Continue reading “Radio Works to Drive Business Forward”Author: Nick Arias, Research & Insights Assistant, RAB
Don’t you love it when your favorite song comes on the radio? There is nothing better than turning the volume up and singing out loud! If one thing is clear, it’s that music lovers have a great relationship with radio.
Continue reading “Turn Up the Music!”Author: Victor Texcucano, Content Coordinator, RAB
Spring is in the air. The weather is warming up, and flowers are blooming. It’s finally that time of the year when we can enjoy the outdoors. Now’s the time when people will begin lawn maintenance, growing fruits and veggies or just relaxing on their porch.
Continue reading “Radio Can Help Promote Springtime Businesses”Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
“Just one minute.” How often do you hear or say that phrase in a day? While it may not seem like a long time, a lot happens in a minute. For example, UPS will deliver 11,319 packages, your heart will beat 60 to 100 times and you will blink about 15 to 20 times. Those may be interesting stats, but what is fascinating is the amount of data that is generated in one minute.
Continue reading “Radio Connects for More than a Minute”
Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
An online search for Gen Z will deliver results in the billions regarding various topics and industries. If you are wondering why, it is because they are about to become the largest and most important consumer target. They may also be the most complex.
Continue reading “Targeting the Next Big Consumer – Teens”
Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
Last week’s post highlighted radio advertising as trusted by consumers, according to a YouGov survey. The latest Total Audience Report from Nielsen not only confirms that finding, but also illustrates that radio ads are very/somewhat trustworthy among adults 18-34. Yes, they are listening, and they trust the ads they hear on radio.
Author: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB
“There’s something about the spirit of radio. It helps us all to know each other better and gives us a sense of purpose and community in a time where we need those things more than ever.”
– Adam Grant, Creative Director, AKQA (abridged).
Historically speaking, in periods of great challenge, truly there is no more important medium than local radio. In uncertain and unpredictable times, broadcast radio has proven that it is the backbone of the country’s information distribution system, with increased listening among consumers across all of its platforms.
Continue reading “The Spirit of Radio – Connecting in Times of Business Unusual”
Contributor: Jay Nachlis, Associate Consultant/Marketing Director, Coleman Insights
Radio is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. It’s one of the advantages and calling cards of local radio stations — the ability to reach specific audiences with differing tastes. Understanding differences in music tastes and usage helps validate the effectiveness of radio as a local, targeted medium for advertisers.
Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
Have you ever wondered why hearing certain songs on the radio makes you smile? Other than it might be your favorite song or stir up a memory, there are some scientific facts to support your enjoyment. Listening to music has been proven to make you smarter and more productive. Music is also known to make people happy and elevate their mood. Perhaps this is part of the reason why people tune in to radio. But radio plays another important role – music.
Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
In today’s social world, consumers will connect, engage and follow brands that reflect their mindset and lifestyle. It’s one of the biggest challenges that brands have today. Developing that connection begins first with brand awareness or exposure. Numerous advertisers have successfully used radio to do just that – drive brand awareness and influence purchase intent. Nielsen studies have pointed to the important role radio plays in the effectiveness of any campaign. Also, one look at any of the Radio Mercury Award winners proves the impact and success that brands can experience.
Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
At Nielsen’s recent Consumer 360, the theme was Confronting What’s Next. There were discussions and presentations on reaching multicultural audiences, using data, artificial intelligence, building brands and more.
There was a lot to be learned from each of the panelists and brand presentations. But, keeping true to the core of the event, it all boiled down to understanding and reaching the consumer. More importantly, it was clear that this is the age of the consumer. The consumer is in control, and wants and expects to be heard. The consumer is at the center of it all.
Radio is the number one source for new music discovery. The raft of new technologies and devices are opening up new discovery methods, but also providing new ways for radio stations to deliver content – most notably via streaming. 37% of music listeners say that one of the things they like most about listening to traditional radio – and that adds to the enjoyment of the music – are the DJ’s (Nielsen Entertainment’s 2017 U.S. Music 360 Highlights).
According to the latest Nielsen Entertainment 2017 Music Year-End Report for the U.S., the surge in streaming continued throughout 2017, topping all forms of music consumption (Albums + Track Equivalents + On-Demand Audio streaming Equivalents). Streaming continued its leadership over downloads as the dominant music consumption platform of 2017, fueling the music industry’s overall volume growth of 12.5% year over year. The increase was led by a 58.7% increase in On-Demand Audio streams compared to 2016.
The addition of streaming data to the Billboard Hot 100 chart, which both reflects and drives hit radio playlists, means that streaming is now playing an important part in determining which songs are played on radio. Radio programmers today are influenced by traction demonstrated by artists and songs performing well on streaming services.
Thanksgiving’s arrival marks the start of the holiday season and the sounds of holiday music can be heard on the streets, at retail and on the radio, and that’s in part because holiday music is known to improve one’s mental spirits. Whether it be the positive memories that arise from hearing many of the classic songs or the simple spirit of the season, holiday music gets us in the celebratory mood.
Approximately 240 AM/FM radio stations across the country flip formats to all-holiday music immediately after Thanksgiving. Some start even earlier and the impact of holiday music listening has numerous positive effects of holiday shopping.
Throughout the course of history there have been numerous audio and portable audio devices that allowed listeners to take their content with them wherever they went. On July 27, an announcement was made that may have surprised some people – Apple revealed that it was discontinuing the iPod nano and shuffle. These two products should receive some recognition because they made audio history and forever changed how people take audio with them.
July 4th. On this day 271 years ago, the Declaration of Independence was signed. In commemorating the occasion, we celebrate our collective patriotism and most importantly, remember all those who have and continue to protect and serve our country.
During this holiday like so many others, radio stations across the country will celebrate, honor and recognize those who have served and continue to serve – both overseas and in our communities. Radio as a live and local medium has the ability to bring listeners of like minds, passions, interests and lifestyles together. Radio celebrates with its listeners every day.
“I’m a purple person.” “I prefer basic black.” “I like to wear bold colors.” People have distinctive tastes and preferences when it comes to clothing or accessories. These preferences are personal, similar to that of radio listening, and similarly, music choice.
A researcher at Heriot-Watt University in the U.K. studied over 36,000 participants’ ratings of 104 music styles and found a direct correlation to their personalities. The study showed that heavy metal music fans are normally calm and comfortable around others, while classical music lovers are often shy and creative. Hard-working and outgoing would be words to describe pop and country music listeners. The relationship between radio and the listener has always been an emotional one but what they listen to is not just personal, it is an extension of who they are.
Family. Culture. Music. Language. Diversity. All of these words describe a group with a 2017 estimated buying power of $1.7 trillion – Hispanics. And the best way to reach this group is with radio.
